Lauren Lombardo works on strengthening her core at Colonial Fitness Center in Spring Township.

Through November, Healthy Living magazine is tracking the progress of two Berks residents as they journey through the ups and downs of starting and sticking with their exercise programs to improve their health. It is their hope that through their stories they will spur others to do the same.

Spring was tough for both exercisers, but a few changes in their routines helped them keep up their fitness quests through the end of the spring. They were interviewed in June.

Let's pick up where we left off:

Lauren Lombardo

Age: 22

Weight in January: 179 pounds

Weight in April: 159.7 pounds

Weight in June: 155.2 pounds

Residence: Spring Township

How long have you been exercising in your latest program?

"I actually recently met with Joanne (Ewing) at Colonial Fitness to revamp my workout program. I have hit the dreaded plateau in my workout and weight-loss process. I was continuing to do my old routine with little to no results, and I was getting very, very frustrated. She met with me a little while ago and she came up with a new plan to get results. So far, it seems to be working out nicely."

Are you doing anything different in your exercise routine?

"This new routine has me working all facets of fitness in one plan. Instead of doing one day of cardio, then the next day of weight training, I integrate the cardio with weight training for better results."

What improvements have you seen since the last update?

"Well, the number (the weight) hasn't really budged at all, which is extremely frustrating; however, the inches do keep coming down and down. I can now fit in shorts from two years ago. My cardio is improving as well, which is a weak point. As part of the routine update, we did a MicroFit, which is a test that can map improvement and can monitor body fat, aerobic cardio and flexibility, and we've noticed that all levels for the most part have improved quite a bit."

What's been hardest for you since the last time we talked?

"Hitting the plateau for sure. It was really hard for me to continue my process and not see results. I would push hard with little results, and it made me want to give up. I often felt like just giving up. (The weight) seemed to come off so easily before because I wasn't used to working out. Then my body became used to my routine, so now I needed to mix it up."

Have you added any new exercises in the last month or two? If so, what?

"The new routine is definitely the biggest improvement. I have also added planks and more ab work to strengthen my core."What is your biggest fitness achievement in the last month?

"It's less of a fitness achievement and more of a personal one, but my biggest achievement has to be gaining the courage to ask for help. I am very stubborn and don't often like to ask for people's help. But I knew if I wanted the results I've been after, I needed guidance. It's OK to ask for help."

Steve Kellenberger

Age: 43

Weight in January: 263 pounds

Weight in April: 242 pounds

Weight in June: 240 pounds

Residence: ShillingtonHow long have you been exercising in your latest program?

"Since the last report I have not been working out with a specific program per se. I have been running, weight training and taking various exercise classes."

Are you doing anything different in your exercise routine?

"I have done a variety of things in the last two months to move past the plateau that I am in right now. I recently began running on the trails at Nolde Forest and Blue Marsh, which are mostly unpaved. This places different stresses on the foot/ankle than running on paved surfaces. It also has better scenery."What improvements have you seen since the last update?

"During a recent 5K near Alvernia University, I was dreading the last half-mile or so, as it was mostly uphill, which is where I typically struggle. I was able to keep a consistent pace up the hill and was able to move up several positions before the finish. It felt good to do something that I hadn't been able to previously."

What's been hardest for you since the last time we talked?

"I would say that the mental aspect of how to handle plateaus and/or setbacks is the biggest hurdle. The body will adapt to changes quite easily, but I believe that the mind (or at least mine) would prefer not to change. There is comfort in the status quo, which is less stressful and therefore a preferred way to live. I have been working on redefining my comfort zone."

What is your biggest fitness achievement in the last month?

"In June, I completed the Tough Mudder (in Philadelphia), which is a 10-plus-mile obstacle course that is held in various places across the country (and other countries as well). Back in April 2010, they held the event at Bear Creek Ski Resort. I was there as a spectator and was hooked. I had done three other obstacle-type races previously but had never done a 10-plus-mile race, so this was a huge step up. The course was very hilly, and when not going uphill they had you walking side-hill across it, which puts a lot of stress on your feet and ankles. I will be doing more of these types of races in the future."

Have you added any new exercises in the last month or two? If so, what?

"In preparation for the Tough Mudder, I tried to focus on increasing my upper-body strength, stamina and overall fitness to deal with the obstacles and the course length. I added more weight training workouts (as opposed to boot camp-type classes) and also incorporated trail running into my training. I think this was a big help."